A Layman’s Bible Manual
I’m surprised how little, many “educated” know about The Bible’s 66 books. But where does one start to introduce the Bible to someone who has no knowledge of the oldest, most reliable historical account ever written.**
Separated into Old and New Testaments, each is further divided into “Books” as listed below. To find passages easily, each book is split into “Chapters” & further subdivided into short phrases or “Verses” – numbered sequentially. Scripture lookup may look like Gen 1:11 (Book- name-abbreviation, Chapter, Verse).
OLD TESTAMENT
Has 39 books and completed by 125 B.C. by the Jews
The Pentateuch
Genesis – Origin – Abraham; Flood; 12 Tribe Names
Exodus – Out of Egypt to Israel; Moses; Miracles
Leviticus – Holiness; Offerings; Laws; Foods
Numbers – Counting Tribes; Years in the Wilderness
Deuteronomy – 10 Commandments; Chap 28 “The Blessings and the Curses”; 29:29
The Historical Books
Joshua – Reclaiming God’s Land; Be Strong/Courage
Judges – Israel’s rulers before Kings; Gideon; Samson
Ruth – Loyalty, Redeeming a relative
1 Samuel – 1st king – Saul (David)
2 Samuel – 2nd king – David and his deeds; Goliath
1 Kings – 3rd king – Solomon; Split kingdom; Elijah
2 Kings – Elisha; Fall of Israel & Judah
1 Chronicles – Genealogy; King David
2 Chronicles – From King Solomon to the Captivity
Ezra – Israel’s return to Jerusalem
Nehemiah – Rebuilding Jerusalem
Esther – Haman’s attempt to exterminate all Israelites
The Poetic & Wisdom Books
Job – the oldest book; Satan against Job
Psalms – Author, David; Praise (118 times); 150 chapters; Center of Bible 118:8 (594 chapters before and after);
Key chapters – 1st, 23rd, 91st, longest 119, shortest 117
Proverbs – Author Solomon; 31 chapters – 1 for each day of month; Wisdom
Ecclesiastes – Author Solomon; Man’s reasoning
Song of Solomon – God’s love for mankind
The Major Prophets
Isaiah- Predicts Christ’s Coming 700 yrs early;
Describes Christ 9, 11, 32, 42, 52-5; Satan 14:12-23
Jeremiah – Warning of Judgment; 29:11-13
Lamentations – Mourning for Jerusalem
Ezekiel – Visions & words of God
Daniel – Captivity; Heroic acts; Vision of the future
The Minor Prophets (short books)
Hosea – Redeeming Love – Key verses 2:23; 4:6
Joel – Day of the Lord; Holy Spirit 2:28-29
Amos – Judgment of sin
Obadiah – Doom of Edom
Jonah – God’s mercy & 1st revival
Micah – Judgment & Kingdom, 6:8
Nahum – Nineveh’s doom
Habakkuk – Doubt to Faith; 2:2-3
Zephaniah – Day of the Lord
Haggai – Rebuilding Temple in Jerusalem
Zechariah – Messiah’s coming, 1:3-4, 4:6, 8:8
Malachi – Formalism rebuked; Last time God spoke to Israel (400 yrs before Christ).; Prospering 3:7-12
NEW TESTAMENT
Has 27 books and completed by 125 A.D.
The Gospels (Good News)
Matthew – Christ the king/God with us – birth to death
Mark – Christ the Servant
Luke – Christ the Man – birth to death
John – Christ in His deity, 14-15
Acts (of the Apostles) & The Holy Spirit
Author – Luke; Spread of Gospel, Miracles, Birth and Organization of the Church
Paul’s Letters (Epistles)
Romans – Roman Road – 3:23, 6:23, 5:6 & 8; 10:9,11,13; Key verses – 8:1-2,28,32,35-39
1 Corinthians – Love 13; Gifts 12; Prophecy 14
2 Corinthians – Paul’s authority; 5:17; 9:5-8
Galatians – Salvation by grace; 3:13-13,26-29; 6:7; Fruit of the Spirit 5:22-23
Ephesians – Grace 1-3 and believer’s walk 4-6; Armor of God 6:11-18
Philippians – 1:6; 2:8-9; 3:20; 4:4-7, 8, 13, 19
Colossians – Christ (by & in Him/whom); 3:11
1 Thessalonians – Christ’s Return
2 Thessalonians – Day of the Lord
1 Timothy – Keeping Church in order; 2:8
2 Timothy – Fear 1:7; Bible is God breathed 3:16-17
Titus – Keeping Church in order
Philemon – Home Church; Escaped slave
Hebrews – Explaining Christ to Hebrews; Faith – 11
General Epistles
James – Jesus’ brother; 1:5-8, 17, 27
1 Peter – 2:9, 23-24; Marriage 3; Service 5:1-9
2 Peter – 1:16, 18, 20-21; 1:5-11; 3:9
1 John – You are forgiven 1:9; Love 4; 5:14-15
2 John – Warning 10; Woman pastor 5, 13
3 John – Walk in truth; Verse 2
Jude – Jesus’ brother; Contend for what you believe
(The) Revelation (of Jesus Christ)
Author: John; Unfolding of Future Events (some already transpired); 2nd Coming of Christ; Description of Heaven & Hell
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** This was designed to fit onto 1 page. If you’d like a copy of it, just leave a comment with your email address and I’ll send it to you. Additionally, I have a Bible Synopsis, God inspired me to write. It is also on 1 page and includes a 2nd page that includes over 300 scriptural references to verify the synopsis. It is entitled “Secrets Politicians Hide to Keep Control of You.” I’ll be happy to send either to you in Word.
Finally, as additional published resources on this Blog site to help introduce the Bible to others, please see http://everydaychristianfamily.com/test-your-history-book-knowledge/ and http://everydaychristianfamily.com/a-guide-to-famous-fun-bible-stories/ and http://everydaychristianfamily.com/i-cant-believe-its-in-the-bible/. There are additionally resources published on this website listed under the Category “Christian Living.”
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